The Mediterranean diet is simple to adhere to with the help of these one-pot dinner recipes. We include an abundance of fresh (or frozen) vegetables and Mediterranean ingredients such as fish, legumes, and lentils in these packed dinners. Additionally, these recipes call for a single saucepan or pan, which simplifies the cleanup process. Recipes such as Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Soup for the Slow Cooker and Mediterranean Chicken Skillet are flavorful, nutritious, and make the Mediterranean diet palatable.
1. Mediterranean Chicken Skillet
This Mediterranean chicken recipe utilizes a single skillet and combines chicken thighs seasoned with herbs, lemon, and garlic with al dente orzo. Tomatoes and onions that have been charred enhance the flavor of this simple Mediterranean entrée.
2. Mediterranean Cabbage Soup
Unexpectedly, this vegan soup recipe is quite simple to prepare. The flavorful broth is enhanced with a hint of coriander, garlic, and tomatoes. Simply dice and slice the fennel and cabbage, and you’ll be savoring this nutritious soup in no time.
3. Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Quinoa with Arugula
This salad, which is loaded with quinoa, chickpeas, and vegetables, constitutes a complete supper. Feta, lemon, roasted red peppers, and olives contribute a distinctive Mediterranean flavor. When offering a meat option, accompany the dish with grilled poultry.
4. Chicken with Tomato-Balsamic Pan Sauce
In lieu of fennel seeds, which impart a spicy flavor to this tomato and balsamic sauce, substitute cumin or coriander seeds, or 1 teaspoon of a ground herb or spice. To soak up the sauce, serve this simple chicken breast recipe with whole-wheat spaghetti or crusty bread. Freeze the unused chicken tenders for up to three months in a hermetic container. When enough have been gathered, defrost them for another purpose.
5. Eggs in Tomato Sauce with Chickpeas & Spinach
For an exceptionally expeditious vegetarian supper, incorporate chickpeas and silken spinach while simmering eggs in a tomatoey cream sauce. Serve alongside crusty bread for souring purposes. Heavy cream is required; low-fat cream may cause a curdling effect when combined with acidic tomatoes.
6. Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Chicken & Chickpea Soup
By allowing this slow-cooker recipe to percolate for the duration of the day, you will return home to a scrumptious and nutritious dinner that the entire family will adore. Bone-in chicken is indispensable for preparing hearty soups that do not require broth.
7. One-Pot Pasta with Tuna
Prepare this tuna pasta recipe using the one-pot pasta preparation method. It requires only five ingredients and can be prepared in slightly over thirty minutes. To achieve a tuna noodle casserole texture and enhance the crunchiness of this expedient pasta dish, garnish it with toasted whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs.
8. Shrimp Scampi Zoodles
This straightforward scampi for shrimp is transformed into a low-carb version using traditional garlicky ingredients. Considered a tastier substitute for conventional pasta, zucchini noodles, colloquially referred to as “zoodles,” absorb the flavor profile of the accompanying sauce while providing a pasta-like consistency. Failure to salt and drain the zoodles will result in a soupy final product that dilutes the flavor.
9. Chicken & Spinach Skillet Pasta with Lemon & Parmesan
For a one-bowl entrée, combine lean chicken breast and sautéed spinach in this garlicky, lemony one-pan pasta that is ideal when garnished with a touch of Parmesan. Regardless, it is a straightforward and expedient weeknight meal that my family and I co-conceived and jotted down on a small recipe card over a decade ago. To this day, it continues to be a staple in my weekly dinner routine. It is an easy entrée that the entire family will enjoy.
10. One-Skillet Salmon with Fennel & Sun-Dried Tomato
Salmon and couscous are both seasoned with sun-dried tomato pesto and lemon in this nutritious one-pot entrée recipe. If desirable, garnish the salmon with additional lemon wedges and a dollop of plain yogurt.
11. Slow-Cooker Mediterranean Stew
This hearty stew from the Mediterranean is a nutritious entrée that is loaded with vegetables and chickpeas. A final drizzle of olive oil enhances the flavor profile of this straightforward vegan crock-pot stew. For a unique variation, substitute white legumes for chickpeas, or utilize collards or spinach instead of kale. Regardless of how you decide to modify it, this stew will become a regular in your repertoire of nutritious crock-pot recipes.
12. Sicilian-Style Chicken Thighs
Sicilian Castelvetrano olives, which are luminous green in color and possess a meaty consistency and buttery taste, harmonize exquisitely with the salty capers and Italian seasoning in this one-pot chicken entrée. Look for them in canisters with Italian ingredients or at the olive bar of your supermarket.
13. Garlic-Sautéed Shrimp
While peeled shrimp may offer convenience, in this preparation, the shells—and heads, should you be fortunate enough to discover them intact—are converted into a flavor-enhancing stock in an instant. The prawns sautéed in garlic may be utilized as an appetizer or as a garnish for risotto or pasta.
14. Lemony Linguine with Spring Vegetables
In lieu of boiling pasta in a large pot of water, this one-pot pasta recipe calls for only 3 1/2 gallons. The pasta is al dente when the majority of the water has evaporated and the remaining portion is thickened with the starch that is released during cooking. Lemon and Parmesan cheese are just two of the few ingredients required to create a delectable, velvety sauce. Want to deplete your refrigerated vegetable supply? Use eight ounces of frozen spinach instead of fresh.
15. Lentil & Root Veggie Soup
Black lentils and French green lentils tolerate prolonged, sluggish cooking without turning mushy. Refrigerate the rinds of used-up blocks of Parmesan in a resealable plastic bag or another container with a firm seal. They imbue culinary broths with a robust, savory essence.
16. Spring Green Frittata
Frittatas are a multipurpose entrée suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. In just 25 minutes, you can prepare this simple frittata with chopped tomatoes and parmesan cheese, which is complemented by verdant spring vegetables.
17. Slow-Cooker Chicken & White Bean Stew
This chicken recipe for a load-and-go slow cooker is ideal for a hectic weeknight meal. This Tuscan-inspired dish should be accompanied by a salad, crusty bread, and a glass of Chianti.
18. Sauteed Shrimp and Asparagus
Create this refined shrimp supper by braising asparagus in white wine. The next time you host an event, give it a try.
19. Lentil Sloppy Joes
This straightforward recipe for slow-cooked sloppy joes is suitable for vegetarians due to the substitution of heart-healthy legumes for the customary beef.
20. One-Pan Chicken Parmesan Pasta
This chicken Parmesan pasta prepares the noodles, poultry, and sauce in a single skillet using the one-pot pasta method, resulting in a dinner that is both time-efficient and requires minimal cleanup. Broil the entrée until the cheese has completely melted for a delectable crust.